The boys deposited their automatics on the barrel and stood waiting for the speaker to advance out of the darkness. When at last he made his appearance the boys noted that he was exactly the type of the man who had visited the camp on the previous day.
“We didn’t expect company here to-night!” the fellow said, taking the electric from Jimmie’s hand and directing the circle of light on the boy’s face. “Why didn’t you send in your cards?”
“Wasn’t any one to take them in!” grinned Carl.
The big fellow chuckled softly to himself and pointed to two casks not far away. Following the motion the boys seated themselves.
“Where are your machines?” was asked.
“Say,” Jimmie broke in without answering the question. “Are you the man who shot the bear yesterday?”
“I’m the man who shot the bear!” was the reply.
“I thought so!” answered the boy.
“You didn’t tell me where you left the machines,” insisted the other.
Jimmie explained that two were at the camp and one somewhere near the peak unless the thieves had again removed it.